New Delhi, Mar 21: A Delhi Court today issued Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) against Mescos chief Rita Singh's daughter Natasha Singh for failing to appear before it in a case under companies act. Additional chief metropolitan magistrate (ACMM) J P S Malik, while issuing NBW against Natasha, also ordered forfeiture of her bail bonds after he was informed that the accused and her counsel were not present.
One S L Gandhi, a witness in the case, was to be cross-examined by Natasha's counsel. Gandhi was discharged by the court for today. The court also issued notice to Natasha's surety under Section 446 of crpc and posted the matter for May 2 next.
Four other accused in the case - Natasha's father J K Singh, her mother Rita Singh, D K Singh and S P Gangnani - were present in the court. They are on bail.
The case was registered against them in September 2000 on a complaint by the registrar of companies (roc) alleging that their company - Mideast India invested in other companies from time to time in excess of 30 per cent of the capital of the company without prior permission of the central government. The accused did not take prior approval of the Centre before investing in Mid East integrated steels limited and other companies resulting in contravention of Section 372 of the companies act which is punishable with fine upto Rs 5,000.
The company had allegedly invested Rs 141.99 crore each in 1996 and 1997, while in 1998 the amount pumped in was Rs 106.09 crore. The records showed Mideast India's reserve capital as Rs 223.30 crore, Rs 248.24 crore and Rs 272.83 crore respectively for 1995, 1996 and 1997.
Bureau Report